 By Akhila Komma.
January 27th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Increase in demand for crypto casinos in Hamilton
The online gambling industry in Canada as a whole is really growing. Especially now that we are in a global pandemic, many people are looking for alternative activities to keep busy. For example, in Ontario, Hamilton, it has been reported to have a high number of local gamblers.
The introduction of crypto casinos has also played a significant role in the rise of online gambling activities in Hamilton.
But there are so many iGaming sites making it hard for users to know exactly where to play. So, it’s always good to go through comparison sites to get an overview of the best online crypto casinos. For example, Fairspin Review covers all the basic information you need to know before joining the website.
 Why Hamilton residents are joining online crypto casinos
Simple signup process- the best thing about online crypto casinos is that they have an easy sign-up process. You will only have to provide a few key details, and you are good to go. The registration form mostly asks for name, email address, date of birth, physical address, and payment method.
Better bonus offers- every Hamilton punter wants to enjoy bonus offers. So, to make the experience more exciting, the online Bitcoin casino operators offer a variety of player bonuses. For example, there are new player bonuses, reload bonuses, daily/weekly bonuses, cash back offers, VIP programs, and more.
Accessible via mobile devices- being able to play any online crypto casino game on the go sounds fun. For that reason, most online casinos in Hamilton are fully optimized for mobile phones. So, it’s easy for any punter to access the websites from wherever they are on any portable Android or IOS device.
 A plethora of casino games- the best iGaming websites have a huge games lobby. In most cases, you will get to play crypto slots, table games, jackpot slots, provably fair games, and live dealer games. This ensures that all players’ tastes and preferences are taken care of.
Secure gambling environment- online Bitcoin casinos are known to use the latest software encryption for data protection. So, you are assured that all your account details will always be secure at a crypto website. Also, blockchain technology ensures that all your transactions are safe from any third-party intrusions.
Quick payment processing- you can be sure of a quick deposit or withdrawal process when using cryptocurrencies. Unlike other payment methods, it only takes a few minutes for the transactions to be completed. What’s more, there are zero transaction fees making them ideal for people who prefer to save up on every penny earned at an online crypto casino.
Hamilton online gambling laws
 Online gambling is legal in Canada. But, different provinces are allowed to come up and enforce their own gambling laws. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, normally known as OLGC, regulates gambling activities in Hamilton. But there are also online gaming sites that operate in Hamilton that gaming commissions outside of Canada regulate. Some include the UK Gambling Commission, Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and the Malta Gaming Authority.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the online crypto casino industry in Hamilton is growing. This is as a result of the casinos offering more than just the usual gambling experience. You get to enjoy anonymity, amazing bonus offers, and a huge selection of casino games. Especially now with Covid, there is limited movement, and people are forced to stay indoors. So, if you are looking to keep busy and at the same time make some money, you should consider joining an online cryptocurrency casino.
 By Staff
January 26th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Community Development Halton is a Not for Profit organization, supported financially by the Region of Halton.
Community Lens is prepared by Community Development Halton to disseminate and interpret important community data as it becomes available.
 2022 is the year communities in Halton and across the province hope will spell the beginning of the end of COVID-19. Unfortunately, as Community Development Halton writes this, such a positive conclusion to a long two years may be premature. Encouragingly, though, some of the preliminary data on the reduced severity of the Omicron variant may be cause for guarded optimism.
Notwithstanding this renewed sense of hope, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to discourage people from describing Omicron as “mild,” because “increased transmission is expected to lead to more hospitalizations.”
What is perhaps less well known is an awareness of some of the research that is taking place around the impacts of COVID-19, and how the pandemic may permanently impact employment sectors, workers, and communities in the years ahead. Last year, Community Development Halton studied the impacts of COVID-19 on older adult populations and published our findings in a series of Community Lens publications in late 2021.
Continuing our focus on the impacts of COVID-19, this Community Lens, the first of 2022, analyses the findings of a 2021 ‘GTA Employer Survey.’ Undertaken by the Peel Halton Workforce Development Group (PHWDG), the survey findings provide instructive insights that are “emerging from the lockdowns and the view of labour market issues during this period of recovery.” This is the 11th annual survey of employers that the PHWDG has carried out; 2020’s survey also looked at the impacts of COVID-19.
Conducted between August and October 2021, the survey was sent out to “700 employers, with an average response of 490 answers per question, from a cross-section of employers in Peel and Halton Regions, as well as from the surrounding Greater Toronto Area… 72% of the respondents are employers in Peel and Halton, many come from other parts of the GTA.” In total, 187 employers from Oakville (62), Milton (56), Halton Hills (17), and Burlington (52) responded to the survey.
The Impact of Lockdowns on Employment
Employers were first asked about the impact of lockdowns on employment levels. Unsurprisingly, smaller employers reported disproportionately larger impacts on employment levels. 39% of employers with 1-4 employees, for example, reported a large decrease (defined as over a 33% reduction of the workforce).
While 23% of companies with 5-19 employees reported a large decrease, it dropped to 4% for companies with over 100 employees. Put another way, “employers were more likely to decrease their employment levels rather than increase and that tendency increased the smaller the firm.” The most impacted sectors were, due to the nature of provincial lockdowns, the Accommodation and Food Services and Retail Trade sectors, while the sector with the lowest employment impact was in Transportation and Warehousing.
Community Lens is prepared by Community Development Halton to disseminate and interpret important community data as it becomes available. For more information please contact us at data@cdhalton.ca or 905-632-1975
Remote Work
Pre-pandemic the “incidence of remote work was low,” with the prevailing perception that employee productivity would be lower away from the office. The pandemic very quickly shifted this misconception, with the caveat that remote work isn’t appropriate for every employee or employer. In an analysis on remote work, the management consultancy McKinsey & Company found that “the potential for remote work is highly concentrated among highly skilled, highly educated workers in a handful [emphasis added] of industries, occupations, and geographies.”
 Working from home has its challenges. Before the pandemic, “61% said that their non-essential workers never worked from home and 92% said that their non-essential workers worked from home 20% or less of the time.”
During the pandemic, “48% of employers said that their non-essential employees worked from home 80% or more of the time; [while] 28% said these employees worked from home 100% of the time.”
Beyond the pandemic, one-third of survey respondents said that they can see “employees work from home 30% to 70% of the time.” The report adds, “many employees [expect] to return to the workplace, but a considerable number will work from home some of the time.”
Although workplaces in the survey shifted to remote work out of necessity and expect to retain some form of this flexibility into the future, employers were, nonetheless, more likely to offer “concerns” with remote working rather than “identifying benefits.” Employers referenced some of the challenges they envisioned with a remote work environment, namely, “maintaining a team spirit and a corporate culture and, to a slightly lesser extent, the ability to properly on-board a new employee.” In addition, closely aligned to the team spirit concern, employers expressed the belief that “innovation” may suffer in a workplace environment that was geographically splintered.
Vaccination Policy
The federal government announced on December 7, 2021, its intention to “make vaccination mandatory in federally regulated workplaces,” extending the mandate beyond the previously announced requirement that all federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. This followed earlier Government of Canada announcements, across several months, in which sector-specific federal mandates were declared.
 Corporate vaccination policies varied at first – but were soon set as mandatory vaccination. Other municipalities and public institutions are also developing and publishing their own vaccination policies and mandates. The City of Toronto, for example, announced that all employees would have to be “fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine series by October 30, 2021.”
Community Lens is prepared by Community Development Halton to disseminate and interpret important community data as it becomes available. For more information please contact us at data@cdhalton.ca or 905-632-1975
Indeed, this month (January 2022), after previous vaccination deadlines were extended, almost 500 employees that had not received the COVID-19 vaccine lost their positions with the City of Toronto.
Meanwhile, in Halton Region, the City of Burlington has introduced a “revision” to its “Staff Vaccination Policy” which now makes COVID-19 vaccination mandatory “for all City employees.” The Town of Milton, Halton Hills, and Oakville15 have all made similar announcements on mandatory staff COVID- 19 vaccinations at various stages over the last number of months.
The 2021 PHWDG survey found that employers are also thinking about the vaccination question in their own workplaces.
- One-third of employers are mandating that employees be
- One-third is either encouraging their employees to get vaccinated “or are providing an ”
- Under a third of employers in the survey “have either no policy or are leaving the decision to their ”
 Forecasting the number of jobs that will be available is difficult and will remain so for a period of time Post-Pandemic Hiring Projections
Looking into the future and making hiring predictions is proving to be challenging for many employers in the survey, in a context where Ontario has had strict, unpredictable, and extended lockdowns at various points over the last two years.
When employers were asked what their hiring intentions were over the next three months, assuming there are no changes from today, they provided the following responses:
- 18% said they “cannot predict” their hiring decisions on low skilled workers in the next three
- 16% said they “cannot predict” for mid-skilled
- 17% cannot predict their intentions for highly skilled roles in the next three
A reminder that the survey was administered between August 31 and October 5, 2021, during which the provincial COVID-19 picture was largely positive: “New cases, hospitalisations and ICU occupancy [were] not increasing”; vaccination uptake was strong in Ontario (although children, 5-11, were still exposed to COVID-19 as unvaccinated individuals, authorization for this age group didn’t arrive until 19th November 2021); however, the upcoming inevitable cold weather, which would drive people indoors where the virus would circulate and thrive, was a recurring source of seasonal “instability” that Ontario’s Science Table was factoring into its projection models.
It is likely that with the rapid increase in cases experienced in December and January in Ontario, caused by the now-dominant and highly transmissible Omicron variant, employer uncertainties are beginning to resurface – if indeed they ever went away.
Community Development Halton will continue to analyze the impacts of COVID-19 across 2022. Our next Community Lens, which will be published shortly, will be a complimentary analysis to this issue. In it, we will investigate the experiences of racialized workers over the last two years and assess Canada’s economic outlook for 2022 from a worker and consumer perspective.
As always, if you have any questions or feedback about this Community Lens or any of Community Development Halton’s other social policy and planning work, you can email data@cdhalton.ca.
Footnotes in the article are available at the CDH website
Community Lens is prepared by
 By Pepper Parr
January 26th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Tomorrow, Thursday, bright and early, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward will be delivering her fourth State of the City, an event sponsored by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.
 Her speech will set out what she has accomplished, and there is a lot to be proud of, and what she hopes to achieve during the last year of her first term as Mayor.
It will also be the first marker she puts down on the election campaign she will head into, probably as soon as the provincial election results are known in June.
Meed Ward could be in for a battle if rumours that former Mayor Rick Goldring decides to run for the job he lost to Meed Ward in 2018.
The State of the City address can be watched on the Chamber of Commerce web site.
You do need to register.
Click on the LINK to get to the registration page and scroll down.
 By Staff
January 26th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Marcello Alaimo, operator of Exquisite Living released some comment on the draft of the Housing Task Force that is expected to release the report and its 58 recommendation at the end of the month.
The task force that was asked to find ways to make Ontario housing more affordable wants to do away with rules that entrench single-family homes as the main option in many residential neighbourhoods, according to a draft report.
The nine-member Housing Affordability Task Force, chaired by Scotiabank CEO Jake Lawrence, wants to “create a more permissive land use, planning, and approvals systems” and throw out rules that stifle change or growth — including ones that protect the “character” of neighbourhoods across the province.
The wide-ranging 31-page draft report, which is making the rounds in municipal planning circles and could look much different when it’s officially released Jan. 31, makes 58 recommendations.
 Zoned commercial, spitting distance to the QEW, minutes from downtown – owner wants to rezone and make it residential. It includes discussions on speeding up approval processes, waiving development charges for infill projects, allowing vacant commercial property owners to transition to residential units, and letting urban boundaries expand “efficiently and effectively.”
It also calls for all municipalities — and building code regulations — not to make it just easier for homeowners to add secondary suites, garden homes, and laneway houses to their properties, but also to increase height, size and density along “all major and minor arterials and transit corridors” in the form of condo and apartment towers.
© Kate Porter/CBC One of the task force’s recommendations is to create rules that would bypass community opposition to adding density in existing neighbourhoods. 4-storey complexes in all neighbourhoods.
But perhaps the most controversial recommendation is the one to virtually do away with so-called exclusionary zoning, which allows only a single-family detached home to be built on a property.
 Built by the ADI Group – this four storey could be placed anywhere in the city if the Housing Task Force makes it through the legislature. Instead, the task force recommends that in municipalities with a population of more than 100,000, the province should “allow any type of residential housing up to four storeys and four units on a single residential lot,” subject to urban design guidance that’s yet to be defined.
According to the report, Ontario lags behind many other G7 countries when it comes to the number of dwellings per capita. And housing advocates have long argued that more modest-projects — duplexes, triplexes, tiny homes and townhouses — are needed in established neighbourhoods, especially if the environmental and infrastructure costs of sprawl are to be avoided.
But neighbourhood infill and intensification is often a hard political sell.
“While everyone might agree that we have a housing crisis, that we have a climate emergency, nobody wants to see their neighbourhoods change,” said Coun. Glen Gower, who co-chairs Ottawa’s planning committee. “So that’s really the challenge that we’re dealing with in Ottawa and in Ontario.”
After last week’s housing summit with Ontario’s big city mayors, reporters repeatedly asked Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark if he supported doing away with zoning for single-detached homes, as other jurisdictions like Edmonton and major New Zealand cities have done.
Clark said he’d heard the idea but did not give a direct answer one way or the other.
© CBC Coun. Glen Gower is the co-chair of Ottawa council’s planning committee. He welcomes the discussion about housing affordability in the task force report, but concedes that allowing four-storey, four-unit dwellings in every neighbourhood could be a hard sell.
Reduce construction barriers, approval requirements
Many of the recommendations revolve around making it easier and faster for builders to construct homes.
According to the draft report, not only would a streamlined process allow dwellings to get on the market faster, but reducing approval times would also save developers money which, in theory, could be passed onto residents.
The report cites an Ontario Association of Architects study from 2018 showing that costs for a 100-unit condo building increase by $193,000 for every month the project is delayed.
That’s why, for example, the task force is recommending that any “underutilized or redundant commercial properties” be allowed to be converted to residential units without municipal approvals.
The draft report also calls for quasi-automatic approval for projects up to 10 units that conform to existing official plans and zoning, and goes so far to recommend that municipalities “disallow public consultations” for these applications.
The report speaks to reducing what the task force characterizes as “NIMBY” factors in planning decisions, recommending the province set Ontario-wide standards for specifics like setbacks, shadow rules and front doors, while excluding details like exterior colour and building materials from the approval process.
The task force would even eliminate minimum parking requirements for new projects.
Politicians say more than just supply needed
The report touches on a number of subjects it believes unnecessarily delay the building of new homes, including how plans approved by city councils can be appealed.
It recommends the province restore the right of developers to appeal official plans — a power that was removed by the previous Liberal government.
And in an effort to eliminate what it calls “nuisance” appeals, the task force recommends that the fee a third party — such as a community group — pays to appeal projects to the Ontario Land Tribunal should be increased from the current $400 to $10,000.
© CBC NDP housing critic Jessica Bell supports doing away with exclusionary zoning, but says many more measures, including building more affordable homes, are needed.
That doesn’t sit well with NDP MPP Jessica Bell, the party’s housing critic. who said “My initial take is that any attempt to make the land tribunal even more difficult for residents to access is concerning,” said Bell, adding the NDP is asking stakeholders and community members for feedback.
The tribunal can overturn a municipal council’s “democratically decided law,” she said, “and I would be pretty concerned if it costs $10,000 for a third party to go to the land tribunal and bring up some valid evidence.”
While she was pleased to see the task force address zoning reform to encourage the construction of town homes, duplexes and triplexes in existing neighbourhoods — the so-called “missing middle” between single-family homes and condo towers — Bell said increasing supply is not enough to improve housing for all Ontarians.
 “We need government investment in affordable housing,” she said. “We need better protections for renters, and we need measures to clamp down on speculation in the housing market … We need a more holistic and comprehensive approach than what we are seeing in this draft report right now.”
(While the task force was directed by the province to focus on increasing the housing supply through private builders, it acknowledges in the report that “Ontario’s affordable housing shortfall was raised in almost every conversation” with stakeholders.)
© CBCGreen Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner says he’s opposed to the task force’s recommendation to allow urban boundaries to expand.
Expanding urban boundaries another concern
From his first reading of the report, Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner agreed with the zoning recommendations but said streamlined processes need to be balanced with maintaining public consultations and heritage designations. “One of my concerns with my very quick read of the draft report is that it talks about expanding urban boundaries … and I’m opposed to that,” he told CBC.
 Everything to the left of the red line along Hwy 407 and Dundas are part of the rural boundary. “We simply can’t keep paving over the farmland that feeds us, the wetlands that clean our drinking water [and] protect us from flooding, especially when we already have about 88,000 acres within existing urban boundaries in southern Ontario available for development,” he said.
Schreiner said he’s also “deeply concerned” that the report discusses aligning housing development with the province’s plan for Highway 413 in the GTA. “I simply don’t think we can spend over $10 billion to build a highway that will supercharge climate pollution, supercharge sprawl, making life less affordable for people and paving over 2,000 acres of farmland
 By Susan Henry
January 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Addicts are everywhere. Maybe you’re one of them. Even if you think that you’re clean and nothing triggers you, there must be something that you’re interested in that you can spend the rest of your life doing. Have you ever met someone who’s an online gambling addict? What do you think about those people? Are they ridiculous to be addicted to something like that?
We all jump to conclusions and judge those people in the wrong way. But what if they have their reasons and they are convincing! Addiction is dangerous no matter what people are addicted to, but that doesn’t mean that addicts are totally out of their minds. Here is a list of the reasons that make online gambling very attractive to get addicted to, but before getting into it read about the best online casinos in Canada.
 Online gambling means you can play from wherever you are located and there is a cell tower nearby. Source of money
Right in your home, on your comfortable couch, having fun and gambling online without making any effort. If you are good, you’ll be able to bet your money and take it back in addition to what others have a bet. What a life, having fun and playing with earning money simultaneously. This thing alone is a trigger for addiction, but the list is still long.
Fun
They’re games, and they can’t be but fun and entertaining—the entire engagement between you and your mobile phone screen until you achieve winning. The fun is unstoppable, and it increases with every new game, win or lose.
Access
If you don’t have money, you can play. If you don’t have a laptop, you can play. Whenever you want, you can play. It’s accessible and always available for everyone, no matter who and where they’re. When something is that close and accessible, you can’t help but take advantage of it.
Reality escapism
When you have hard times, your mood is down. You don’t have the energy to talk to people; your online casino is opening its hand wide open to give you a big hug and get you out of that reality that’s killing you.
Free time
Online gambling is an entertaining option to spend your free time. But what if someone doesn’t have anything but free time. No job, no study, no life. Has the world’s time and doesn’t know any way else to spend it but by gambling online. Free time is a problem when filled out with the wrong things.
Bonus
“Play for three days and get this reward, play for a month in raw and get something free” there’s always something like that in all games. Online casinos are no different. In this way, they’ll encourage people not to think about leaving the website, not even for a single day.
 A very very wide variety of games that can be played online. Variety
You think that you know all the gambling games in the world, you’re mistaken. There’s a great number of different games online. You’ll constantly be challenged to learn the new game and get to know its rules and how to win in it. Fun never ends
Win/lose
You get into the online casino, you do your best and try every possible option to win, and you win. This thrill that you’ll feel is not something you want to feel once in a lifetime. You’ll continue playing to win over and over again. Or let’s say you did everything, but you had bad luck, and you want to make up for that. You won’t be relieved until you win many times after that loss, which will take forever.
 It’s not all a game of chance – you need to be able to think about how the cards have been played. Intelligence
Online gambling is not only a way to win or lose money as you spend some time online, and it’s a lot more. Studies have shown that online gambling improves memory, math skills, and decision-making skill. When first starting to gamble online, a person is not the same after a while. He’ll be smarter, and no one will ever feel that he has gotten enough intelligence. They think that there’s more by time, so they never stop.
Conclusion
Addict or not an addict. We’re all human beings, and we’re subjected to turn into any version of us, good or bad. We should support those who are struggling with a bad habit because they don’t need a new burden. If you’re not planning to join the addicts’ group, manage your time and know when to stop.
 By Staff
January 24th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Have you seen the TS-01-22 item on the February Community Planning committee meeting?
The city started off with Rainbow Crosswalks, then it was benches, one in each ward.
 Has the idea of recognizing and celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community become an election issue ? That would be a shame. The recognition matters – but let’s not exploit it. Now there are going to be banners on utility poles on streets.
They are reported to come in at $9,500.
“Where did this come from?”, asked a reader. ” Doesn’t seem to come from any Councillor’s kitty. An Art project? Are we going a little overboard on this issue?”
The come from a Staff Direction that will be issued to the Director of Transportation Services to install Rainbow Pride Banners along the section of Brant Street between Fairview Street and Ghent Avenue for the month of June, in the following years; 2022, 2023 and 202 – assuming this passes council.
They are taking this quite a bit further than many people expected..
Remember, the Mayor fell in love with this idea – put her heart into it. And it is an election year.
The Gazette wants to be crystal clear on this issue. Every community group deserves and has the right to be recognized and respected. Burlington has been a leader at the recognizing; so much so that the Catholic School Board actually came around.
Is the city now making a mockery of the way we recognize?
By Pepper Parr
January 24th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The east end of the city has had a coyote problem for close to ten years – the critters seemed to have taken a liking to the downtown core – which has a lot of people getting a little edgy.
 They are now being seen in ward 2 Ward 2 Councollor Lisa Kearns wants something done and is taking steps of her own to serve her constituents.
Kearns seems to have all kinds of clout.
The Burlington Animal Service Department just ordered 1,200 Classic Fox 40 Safety Whistles – 600 blaze orange, and 600 yellow.
 Fox40 whistle – Coyotes do not like the sound of these things. Ron Foxcroft, the inventor of the Fox 40 whistle, said recently that “Someone at the City is very smart to think of this. Kudos to the City”.
Will we soon see Councillor Kearns on the street with a whistle of her own?
 By Athena Zhuang
January 24th, 2022
BURLINGTON, O N
A year washed to the shore,
Revealing shells from visiting the globe and building sandcastles for new relationships,
But the clock hits zero,
And instead of one, we start at two.
To consider traveling is to consider new friends: new hands to meet, new cultures to touch.
Where do your eyes go this year?
A cell phone as the world during quarantine,
Of diving with the dolphins and swinging with the monkeys
Where we transport to anywhere
And build a world from a screen, until our planet burns down
To raise a glass of your voice,
To spill a jar with your sounds,
And to reveal your stories
On why we must change the world
To see change is one, to enact is two.
To demand for action is three.
Let us do all.
Papers flying not as planes but as ambitions,
Soaring through the air in Straight Lines of As
And of becoming the stellar pupil the stars adore.
Books and courses at my mouth,
Consuming Shelley, Dickens, McQuiston, and Hemingway
Of self exploration from calculus to philosophy
Of a non-linear world of imperfection in numbers but perfection in curiosity
Of sparkling eyes filled with stars of education.
When the clock strikes midnight, and it is over,
Will you be happy that another year happened,
Or happy that another year passed?
Athena Zhuang is a grade twelve International Baccalaureate student from Burlington. “As a child, I created mind-maps to record my New Year’s resolutions. This year, I used a new medium: poetry.
“The poem depicts my goals for 2022. It discusses how I, as a teenager during quarantine, hope the upcoming year will unfold. I reveal my dreams for traveling before going to university, making new friends in the virtual world, my advocacy for the climate, and more.”
By Cirillo Ambrossi
January 25th 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are on the lookout for amazing gambling sites in Canada, you have plenty of options. The online gambling market is growing rapidly. This means that the number of people who play online casinos is increasing every day.
As far as Canada goes, the situation is not much different. According to Statistics, Canadians spent over $1 billion on online gambling every year. That is about three percent of their total spending budget.
Why Are Canadian Online Casinos So Popular?
In 2022, more and more Canadians are seeking out online casinos because of their benefits. The casinos offer a wide variety of games and bonuses. They are convenient, affordable, and they offer more value for your money.
 You can play interactively on some gambling sites Nothing beats the ability to enjoy your favorite games from the comfort of your home. You can play 24/7 without having to worry about time or location restrictions.
Online casino games are not affected by weather conditions as you don’t need to travel to physical casinos. In addition, you can deposit and withdraw money through electronic banking methods.
There are different types of online gambling Canada. Casinos are classified based on whether they provide real cash or virtual currency (such as points). Therefore, there is something for everyone. If you are a new player, you have the chance to try out new games without putting your money on the line.
What Do You Need to Know When Playing Canadian Online Gambling?
Before signing up with any new site, there are several things that you should know. Having the relevant information will improve your experience.
Know Your Limits
First, you need to know your limits. Before registering with a particular online casino, it’s important to understand the amount you can afford to lose. Base it on your playing experience and the size of your bankroll.
For example, if you’re a novice gambler, you might only want to wager $5-$10 per game. On the other hand, experienced players might prefer betting $50-$100 per spin.
Know Which Games Are Available
Once you decide on the kind of games you’d like to play, you need to look into the options offered by the online casino. This may mean checking out reviews and ratings for each casino.
Also, pay attention to how often they update their database. One of the biggest benefits of online casinos is that they bring you a wide variety of games. You shouldn’t miss out on this benefit by choosing the wrong online casino.
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 Some bonuses can be very attractive Find Out About Bonuses
All reputable online casinos offer bonuses for both new members and loyal players. However, not all bonuses are created equal. Make sure that you find one that gives you a decent amount of free money. Researching about bonuses is important even when you have a huge bankroll.
Emerging Trends in the Canadian Casino Market.
In 2022, the casino market in Canada has been experiencing a shift. The industry is growing fast, and many new names are already cropping up. Here are a few trends to look out for:
The Use of Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies are becoming mainstream. The number of Bitcoin ATMs has increased by over 50% since 2017. This means that people can now buy bitcoins without having to go through an exchange or bank account. Other cryptocurrency exchanges are growing rapidly as well. There are currently over 1,000 cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide.
The reason behind the growing popularity of Bitcoin among online gamblers is its anonymous nature. You can make transactions without having to provide any personal information. Furthermore, there are no limits on how much money you can transfer or withdraw from the casino. Transactions are pretty fast as well.
The Breakthrough of VR
Even though VR is a pretty costly technology, it is fast making its breakthrough in Canadian online casinos. Although there is still a long way to go, many online casinos are already adopting it. VR casino games take your playing experience to the next level.
 It is the responsibility of the gambler to play responsibly.. Know your limit and stick to it. Focus On Responsible Gambling
Online casinos in Canada are working on strategies to promote responsible gambling. The Canadian government announced new measures to protect players from online gambling addiction. These include:
• A ban on advertising or promoting gambling products to minors
• A minimum age requirement of 18 years old for all online gaming sites
• A ban on accepting wagers from Canadians who live outside of Canada
• A ban on accepting wager from Canadians with an income below $50,000 per year
The Canadian government will be monitoring the industry to ensure compliance with the new rules. According to the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), they will be looking at ways to make sure casino games are not being used by people who have trouble controlling their gambling habits.
They are also considering how to prevent underage gamblers from accessing online gaming sites. The CGA is concerned about the impact of online gambling on vulnerable groups such as youth, seniors, and those living with mental health issues.
Increased Growth of ESports Betting
The popularity of esports games among Canadian audiences is increasing fast. Currently, the audience is in hundreds of millions. There are plenty of competitions and tournaments to bet on, and studies suggest that esports could be getting more popular than traditional sports. It is only a matter of time before they pull audiences as big as in traditional sports like basketball and football. It is no surprise that almost all of Canada’s top bookmakers are including esports in their offers.
 esports betting is expected to grow into an $8 billion market Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games in Canada are already popular. In 2022, however, they could be getting a bigger share. Players are interested in the human experience, and live dealers offer that without compromising the online experience. In 2022, there will be more live dealer games. Casinos that didn’t already offer them may start doing so.
Continued Market Growth
The surest thing about Canada’s online casino market in 2022 is that it will continue to grow. Although the pandemic was a major contributor to its growth, many other factors make online casinos popular. The advancement of mobile gaming, unique bonuses, and better payment methods significant contributor as well.
 By Pepper Parr
January 23rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
For some the financial fall out from the Covid19 pandemic has been manageable. A few are actually doing better during these tough times.
For others, the financial damage is severe, especially in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Some have been wiped out, lost everything and are struggling emotionally as they do their best to deal with what is left.
The City has developed a COVID-19 Property Tax Payment Plan program for 2022 that should help those struggling from day to day
 No patrons The program offers eligible residents and businesses that continue to face financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic a monthly pre-authorized payment plan to assist with the repayment of property tax installments.
It was approved by city council on January 11, 2022.
Individuals must apply for the 2022 COVID-19 Property Payment Plan program by completing the online application at burlington.ca/propertytax.
The program will allow eligible property owners who are unable to pay their property taxes by the regularly scheduled tax due dates, to make payments under a pre-authorized payment plan. If eligible, equal monthly withdrawals will be made that will allow for the property taxes to be paid in full by Dec. 1, 2022. No penalty or interest will be applied for the duration of the payment plan as long as payments are made.
Additional details:
- Applicants will be required to attest they are experiencing financial hardship directly related to COVID-19, e.g. loss of employment, business closure, prolonged suspension of pay
- Property owners that have an unpaid balance on their tax account from March 1, 2020 onward may include this amount in the property tax payment plan (eligible owners cannot have any property tax amounts owing prior to March 1, 2020)
-
 Joan Ford – Chief Financial Officer Eligible property owners have the ability to choose which date they would like the pre-authourized monthly payment plan to begin. Options include March 1, April 1, May 1, June 1 or July 1 (applications are due 10 days prior to the withdrawal date).
Joan Ford, Chief Financial Officer for the city explains: “With new COVID-19 variants and changes to provincial restrictions, the City recognizes that residents and businesses continue to face uncertainty and financial pressures. The goal of the property tax payment plan is to support taxpayers and help ease the burden of meeting the regularly scheduled property tax due dates, without facing penalties.”
By Pepper Parr
January 20th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This report sets out the very awkward situation in which the Planning department finds itself.
If you love your city and you care about what it is going to look like in five years, read on. The report is lengthy.
The city has had a Waterfront Planning Study in the works since 2015. At one point the Planning Department advised that they did not have a planner assigned to the file.
Most people thought progress was being made – turns out everyone was wrong. Nothing (at best very little) was being done.
 The boundary for the Waterfront Study area was clear. The study was paid for by the developer who got tired of waiting and decided to move on with his long term plans While city planners were asleep at the switch the owner of the property wasn’t.
 Darko Vranich, has significant property interests in Hamilton and Burlington which include the adult entertainment site Solid Gold in Aldershot and that small motel immediately east of Bridgewater and doors away from Emma’s Back Porch. The Waterfront Hotel is owned by Darko Vranich, who owns Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Road Inc., the site of the hotel he wants to demolish and put up a two tower development – one at 35 storeys, the other at 30 storeys – both would sit atop a five level podium.
Back in April 28, 2021, the consulting firm, Bousfields (leading the development application team), met with staff in the Planning Department to determine the requirements for a complete development application.
The developer wanted to amend the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law to facilitate the owner’s proposal to redevelop the site with a mixed-use development that does not conform to in-effect Official Plan policies or Zoning By-law regulations.
That meeting should have triggered some action on completing the Waterfront Study – apparently it didn’t.
The city provided the developer and their representatives with a preconsultation package (by email – May 5, 2021).
The preconsultation package outlines the following;
Types of applications required (Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment);
Application fees required;
Requirement to hold a Pre-Application Public Consultation Meeting prior to submitting an application;
Required Information for Complete Application.
In accordance with the requirements set out in the preconsultation package, the applicant consulted the Burlington Urban Design (BUD) Panel regarding their proposed development on August 19, 2021. At a meeting less than a week ago the Director of Community Planning, Mark Simeone, was not aware that a meeting with BUD had taken place.
Another example of senior city staff not being fully briefed on everything which was now in play. Staff were fully aware of the scale, size and scope of what the developer had in mind. The public didn’t have a clue until a virtual Pre-Application Consultation Meeting was held via via Zoom September 8, 2021.
Lisa Kearns, the Ward Councillor and Mayor Meed Ward attended and took part – the news was not new to them.
 Years before the pre-consultation meeting at which the public got to see what the developer had in mind, a group of citizens believed there was a better way to develop the Waterfront Hotel site and they formed Plan B and created the idea of a thin red line beyond which there would be no development.
The city, in the meantime, had hired a group to hold public meetings at which different concepts were developed. The Plan B people were never really sure if they were being heard by the city planners. When the graphic below became public it was pretty close to what the Plan B people were prepared to settle for. Was it close enough to the three concepts the city made public? And, by the way, what are the current concepts the city planners have for the site? Nothing anywhere that sets out the city’s position.
You can bet real money that the developer knows what they want – at this point all we have is what they presented last September – and that wasn’t a pretty sight.
 The green area is what Plan B wants left open allowing a clear view to the lake from Brant Street.
On October 22, 2021, City staff received a submission package from the applicant requesting amendments to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law to permit the proposed development at 2020 Lakeshore Road.
On October 26, 2021 the City received the application fees set out in the preconsultation package. City staff confirmed receipt of these materials and fees as of October 26 and initiated a completeness review to determine whether the required information and material, as identified in the preconsultation package, had been provided.
The Planning Department, at first, took the position that the development application was not complete but sometime after the January 13 council meeting at which the development application was deemed incomplete the matter was on the January 18th council meeting as an Urgent Business matter. At that time the application was deemed to be complete.
Sometime on the Friday between the 13th and the 18th meetings new information from someone (either the city planning staff or the consultant for the developer or the city’s outside legal counsel) was provided resulted in the application being deemed complete.
The development application that was deemed incomplete did not have the the following required information:
1. Phase Two Environmental Site Assessment;
2. Park Concept Plan;
3. Angular Plane Study.
Staff notified the applicant that their application had been deemed incomplete.
Subsequently the applicant submitted a request to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) for a motion date to determine if the application was in fact in complete. The OLT never did schedule a date for such a motion to be heard.
On December 17, 2021, the applicant provided the following additional materials to the City in relation to their applications:
1. Phase Two Environmental Site Assessment;
2. Park Concept Plan;
3. Angular Plane Study.
Sometime before January 18th, City staff reviewed the additional materials provided and determined that with the receipt of additional materials described the development application was deemed to be complete December 17, 2021.
The clock was now ticking – starting December 17th, 2021 the city had 120 days to produce a Staff report on the development.
The immediate impact was the loss of about 30 days that could have been used to review the development application to be in a position to complete a review of a very big and a very complex file dumped on a department that was understaffed and had very recently added 15+ planners to staff who had to work in an office environment dictated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sometime in February, 2022 the city will hold a required statutory public meeting at Council Committee to consider the development applications. It is expected that the statutory meeting will be virtual, which will crimp the number of delegations made at Council.
Sometime in April, 2022 a Staff recommendation report will be sent to Committee followed by a special Council meeting.
The city has three options:
Approve the application
Approve the application with required changes
Refuse the application setting out the reasons for the refusal
If refused the developer will take the case to the Ontario Land Tribunal
That is not the whole story.
 The night Marianne Meed Ward was elected Mayor of Burlington. When Marianne Meed Ward ran for Mayor in 2018 she told the citizens of Burlington that she wanted the Urban Growth Centre (UGC) to be moved north – to where the Burlington GO station was located.
It took a lot of energy and political guts to take that position but as Mayor, Marianne Meed Ward pushed and pushed and pushed.
And the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing eventually agreed and the UGC boundary was moved north with the southern boundary pushed north from Lakeshore Road to about Prospect.
Unfortunately, in the same decision, the Minister grandfathered a number of development sites and said they would fall under the rules of the old UGC – which ran right to the lake. Right where the Waterfront Hotel development is to take place.
The decision didn’t help.
Council passed a motion last week that included an amendment.
Deem, in accordance with sections 22.1, 22(5) and 34(10.2) of the Planning Act, that applications submitted by Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law for lands at 2020 Lakeshore Road as made and complete on December 17, 2021, as the required information and materials were provided on that date; and
Direct the Director of Community Planning to notify Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. that the required information and material have been provided for the applications to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law for lands at 2020 Lakeshore Road, in accordance with sections 22(6.1) and 34(10.4) of the Planning Act.
The amendment:
Direct the Director of Community Planning to complete the processing of the application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law for lands at 2020 Lakeshore Road within the statutory time frames, and bring forward a recommendation to Council and the Community to provide input and a decision before the statutory review period expires.
So what now?
There is a very senior planner on the file and an all hands on deck attitude is infusing staff – many who are working remotely. Not the best situation to create the sense of team needed to get the very best out of people who have been pushed to the limit for more than 20 months.
To add to the troubled situation, Heather MacDonald, the chief planner as well as an Executive Director with the city, advised the city manager that she was going to retire. This apparently was not a surprise to the city manager.
Members of Council are limited on what they can say about a development that has yet to be put before Council with a Staff recommendation. As a result there hasn’t been as much as a peep from any of them.
 What was Councillor Galbraith opposed to? We do know that Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith was not very excited about what took place in those Closed sessions. He didn’t vote for the decision to direct Burlington’s legal counsel to proceed that came out of the Closed session. Because it was a Closed session the public will never know what Galbraith was opposed to.
Way back in 2010 Marianne Meed Ward ran for Council as the ward 2 candidate running on a platform to Save the Waterfront. Burlington may be about to see shovels in the ground by the end of the year putting a dagger in the heart of what Meed Ward set out to do
The Plan B group that wanted the western edge of any development on the hotel site to be limited by what they called a “thin red line.
At one point the Planning department appeared to be onside – no one is sure at this point if the thin red line concept will be applied.
What we do know is that the Planning department is working hard at completing their report that will go to city council and that sometime before it goes to Council there will be a required Statutory meeting at which the developer can tell their story (they are not required to take part) and citizens can delegate on what they don’t like.
It will be quite a meeting.
 Lovely design with great architectural features – but is this what the citizens of the city want in the downtown core?
 Is this the new look of the city skyline?  Is this what the entrance to Spencer Smith Park going to look like?
By Staff
January 19th, 2022
BURLINGTON,ON
Real Estate was on a tear through all of 2021.
Data for December, compiled by the Rocca Sisters, paints a rosy picture for the sell side.
This month we saw another record breaking average sale price of $1,395,564 up 22.4% December 2020-21. During the month of December properties sold for 114.73% of the listed price, just about a 15% increase over last year.
Properties sold in an average of 10 days compared to 19 days the same month last year. Inventory continues to be historically low and a chronic challenge in our marketplace for buyers. The lack of supply and strong demand has continued to drive prices.
 Residential data for Burlington. The condo market closed 2021 with a bang! The average price paid for a condo apartment unit in December was $696,000. Condo apartments sold for 105.87% of the listed price in December, up over last year about 5%. Average days on market were 17 days versus 30 days in December 2020. Supply & demand continue to drive the prices. Taking the opportunity to downsize now, getting an investment property (expanding your investment portfolio) or leaping into the market for your first time would be a very wise investment right now. Downsizers, investors and first time buyers continue to drive this market and will continue well into the new year.
 The condo market in Burlington saw year over year increase of 47.1% .
 By Ray Rivers
January 19th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
COVID, since day one of the pandemic, has had a stigma attached to it. Unless one was a resident in congregate living or a front-line worker at a health centre, school, factory or grocery store, catching COVID was because of carelessness.
Omicron has changed all that. The virus has spread so extensively and quickly that probably one in three people you know can now claim to have had symptoms; mostly a mild cold if they had been appropriately vaccinated. Instead of being ashamed people are beginning to wear COVID, almost, like a badge of honour.
 Was the Omicron variant of Covid19 a glimpse of what the public was going to have to face for years ? And that is sad because the latest variant has filled our hospitals and shut down elective surgery. As we hit 4000 admissions with 600 in the ICU and 40 people a day dying, it should be clear that the term ‘mild’ is just so inappropriate. While the new variant seems to be taking aim at younger people, it is still taking a toll on more vulnerable seniors.
4000 admissions a day is a lot of hospital beds. To that end, the federal government has purchased some $300 million worth of field hospital units, which could be quickly assembled.
Something like this was erected near Burlington’s Jo Brant hospital earlier in the epidemic. But these kits are mostly still sitting in a warehouse waiting for hospitals to have enough staff to use them. And that is the problem. COVID, particularly this latest variant not only has filled beds but it is also emptying the wards of sick and overworked staff who would attend to those beds.
There have been a number of articles published recently querying Canada’s health care system. Of course, it really is 13 provincial/territorial systems delivering health care under the auspices of the federal government and the Canada Health Act. The Act gives us universal care and a single insurer.
The bottom line, when all is said and done, is that Canada’s health care compares favourably with other nations, even during COVID. We’re not the lowest cost per capita, but still operate at a lower cost per capita than Germany, Sweden and a host of other European nations. And besides enjoying better health outcomes, Canadians spend less than half what our southern neighbours do.
 Health care had become a political football Critics like the Fraser Institute, a right wing think tank, will never be content with a single payer public health system. Yet they fail to appreciate that the private sector is more involved in delivering health care (30%) here than in many other nations.
We have privatized the delivery of diagnostic, hernia repair, colonoscopy, cardiac care and other aspects – taking these services out of the hospitals and into private clinics, though they are still covered by our single payer insurance.
Politicians seeking election always promise to add more hospital beds, as Mr. Ford did last election. It’s as if more beds is some kind of panacea – will fix what is wrong with the system. But beds only work if there is staff to care for the people in those beds. And that situation has only got worse with this pandemic. When 20-30% of nursing staff are home sick and unable to work, and many are so burned out they are leaving the profession, we have a real problem.
At the beginning of the epidemic lawn signs seemed to be popping up everywhere thanking our front-line heroes for their tireless efforts to save us. But not everyone felt that way. In Alberta, as the second wave was receding, Jason Kenny determined in his mind that it was all over and decided to fire 11,000 health care workers. Then, as if to add insult to injury, he set out to roll wages back by 3%.
Kenny, buoyed with false optimism, also lifted all public health restrictions, making Alberta a living example of the real wild west. A crisis of his own making ensued as the virus surged back with a vengeance collapsing Alberta’s health care system and swamping its hospitals with sick and dying. In the end he had to call in the feds to bail the province out.
 Nurses were being pushed to the limit and felt they weren’t getting the support they needed. The burnout rate was very high. And it wasn’t just Alberta. The Ford government in Ontario has a philosophical problem with unions, but especially those in the broader public sector. So Ford introduced Bill 124 to cap all public service salaries at an annual 1% increase, even as inflation has recently climbed to almost 5%. Is it any wonder that nurses in this province are now in full flight to better paying jobs?
Long term care (LTC) in Ontario, and across much of the country, is an idea badly in need of re-invention. Ontario is losing Minister Rod Phillips, who some consider the most/only competent minister in Ford’s government, providing we forgive him for breaking COVID rules and flying south in the midst of a nasty wave of COVID in the province. Still, he had brought in some accountability, such as re-introducing the spot inspections of facilities, which Mr. Ford had cancelled soon after becoming premier.
But it’ll take more than that to fix LTC for our seniors, including facilitating people staying longer in their homes, if at all feasible. And it will take national standards which the feds have promised. Indeed a national LTC act with appropriate federal funding would be an excellent companion to what the feds have initiated at the other end of the age scale with child care… and, of course, the Canada Health Act itself.
Canadians overwhelmingly support our universal, single payer health care system, with some surveys running as high as 86% approval. But it could always be made better. We could add pharmacare, for example, something the previous provincial government in Ontario had been moving towards. We could put more effort into reducing wait times for elective surgery, especially in geographically remote places where specialists are difficult to find.
And we could start to treat our health care front-line workers, and especially nursing staff, with the respect they deserve. We should pay them what they are worth and maybe start putting up those ‘thank you’ signs again.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province. He developed the current policy process for the Ontario Liberal Party.
Background links”
Health Stats – The Debate – More Funding – Fed Mobile Hospitals –
Rod Phillips – Nurses – Polling on Health Care – National LTC Standards –
Canada vs USA – Canada VS USA – Staff Shortages – Staff Quitting –
 By Pierre Garner
January 21, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Towards the end of last year, the office of the Auditor General in Ontario released a report highlighting the possible legal issue that might arise from the proposed online gaming model. The model is aimed at the privatization of the iGaming industry, which has been under the wing of the Provincial government.
 Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk In the 15-page report, “Internet Gaming in Ontario,” Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk puts to question three major issues; the legality of the model in light of the Criminal Code, the integrity and fairness of a privatized iGaming market in Ontario, and the provincial governance structure of internet gaming.
However, the report has received a lot of criticism, especially from industry folks with vested interests. In response, the office of the Auditor General has noted that it is not against the idea of having a regulated iGaming market. Its only concerned is the technical legalities of the proposed model.
“Ontario remains committed to launching a competitive internet gaming market to help protect its consumers. The province has already designed the online gaming model to achieve this objective in compliance with the Criminal Code,” wrote Natasha Krtajic, the parliamentary advisor and press secretary of the Attorney General.
Background Info on the Status Quo
To understand the allegations made in Lysyk’s report and the reason for criticism, we need to first comprehend the proposed enhancement to the present Ontario online gaming offerings.
 PROLINE+ the sole provincially operated legal provider of online gaming services in Ontario. Currently, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, a province-run entity, is the sole legal provider of online gaming services in Ontario. This corporation runs the only legal online bookmaker in the province, PROLINE+.
In light of the Ontario online gaming model, the government has appointed the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and its subsidiary, iGaming Ontario to vet and review applications made by private online casinos and sportsbooks operators.
According to the president of the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), Paul Burns, it’s speculated that the iGaming market in Ontario will be opened up to the private sector by the close of the first quarter of 2022. CGA happens to be the national trade association representing top suppliers and operators in Canada’s eSports, sports betting, lottery, and gaming industries.
With the biggest betting events (Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics) around the corner, the pressure to open up the market for private operators is mounting on Ontario’s government. Fortunately for punters, there are already some online casinos that operate in Ontario as stated by Online-Casino.com.
A Breakdown of the OAG’s Report
According to the report, the government’s plan to privatize the market presents several legal problems. These problems are noted as follows:
Delegation of Decision-Making Powers
The proposed model is designed to pass business risk and decision-making power to private operators. According to the OAG’s report, this delegation of responsibility might fail to satisfy the “conduct and manage” requirements on commercial gambling. The provincial governments are tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding these requirements under the Criminal Code.
“The issue of whether the provincial government has illegally delegated its “conduct and manage” mandate in commercial gaming to a private operator has been a recurring legal subject in Canada,” the report reads.
The Regulatory and Governance Risk
Lysyk mentions that the function of a regulator is different from that of an operator. She also notes that there is an overlap in involvement between the province regulator and the operators in terms of internet gaming in the current situation. That being the case, Lysyk writes that “the model or vehicle itself is what we consider a problem.”
 To address the problem, the report recommends that the Ministry of the Attorney General transfers the operating and governance responsibilities of the iGaming Ontario from AGCO, its parent entity. The report further suggests that should iGaming Ontario’s business model meet the “conduct and manage” requirements, its reporting relationship with AGCO should be transferred.
The IGO’s Governance Structure Poses a Potential Problem
The Auditor General expressed concerns that the entity is not well-structured to verify and ascertain the integrity and fairness of games. The report recommended that the IGO inform the Legislature on how it plans to address the issue of integrity and fairness before launching the iGaming market.
In rebuttal, through the Ministry of the Attorney General, the government insisted that the AGCO has well laid out standards for the iGaming market – inclusive of integrity concerns. All online games will have to be third-party tested and certified by an independent lab, and the AGCO has its iGaming Compliance Unit for compliance oversight purposes.
Lysyk’s Response to Criticism on the Report
CGA’s president and CEO, Paul Burn, dismissed the OAG’s report as a mare opinion when recently commenting to The Parleh. When asked about the industry pushback that the report has been receiving, Lysyk challenged the idea that the report’s content is just an opinion.
She holds that what was outlined in the report was nothing but solid facts that have been vetted for accuracy.
“We have no vested interest in the outcomes of this agenda. Our position is unbiased, independent, and objective of the benefits of iGaming in Ontario. The report is factual and free from vested interest,” noted Bonnie Lysyk.
The Auditor general’s office is not oblivious to the benefits of having a regulated privatized iGaming market in Ontario. No. The benefits are difficult to argue against. The report was not suggesting that the model lacks economic legs.
By viewing the report objectively, it becomes clear that what the office of the Auditor General was trying to say is, “We are not completely sure and confident as to how you want to go about this.”
“Our point is that at this point, there are several issues that we need to identify and address. At the end of the day, the iGaming revenue will provide additional revenue for social services such as health. We are not saying that the iGaming market is a bad thing. All we did was question the integrity of the model and how our consumers will be protected once the market launches,” noted the OAG.
 On-line gambling has grown significantly – it is now a very big business. Fair and reasonable regulation should be in place. Bottom Line
Lysyk is completely aware that big money will always remain a big topic. Noting that the report’s biggest critics are individuals who have heavily invested in anticipation for the new market, she requests them to remain objective and conscious of consumer interests.
By Staff
January 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a problem that has plagued seniors for some time.
 When packed down this is very hard snow to remove After shoveling for hours yesterday, a Blanchard resident was faced with a four foot bank of snow across the driveway this morning. The other side of the street had nothing. This wall is down the entire South side of the street. The resident cannot remove this hardened wall of compacted snow and is unable to leave the driveway should the need arise.
 A disappointing scene after shoveling out the driveway. This has been an ongoing issue over the years but none as bad as this.
They have sent off emails and pictures to the mayor, and public works.
“I want the city to clean this up! Now!”
The solution might be to turn to your neighbours for the needed help.
 By Staff
January 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The COVID-19 outbreak that was declared on Unit 4 North 700 (4N700) on January 12 has extended to an additional unit, 5 North 400 (5N400), as of January 17.
Prior to that there was an outbreak on the 6th floor.
Three additional patients and four healthcare workers have now tested positive for COVID-19. These new infections are associated with the original outbreak on 4N700 that infected five patients.
 Joseph Brant Hospital’s Infection Prevention and Control team and Employee Health Services are ensuring all patients on the unit, along with staff and physicians who have been or may have been exposed, are being contacted, monitored, tested as required and self-isolating in keeping with Public Health guidelines.
Patients on the unit are in isolation as of January 17 and will receive instructions on home self-isolation requirements when being discharged from the hospital. 5N400 is closed to new patient admissions. In addition, Essential Care Providers (ECPs) and visitors are not permitted in the unit, with limited exceptions as determined by the nurse manager. ECPs are asked to speak to the care team with questions around access to the unit. Patients can still connect with their loved ones by telephone and video – both telephone and WiFi are available at JBH at no cost.
Joseph Brant Hospital is advising anyone who may have recently visited 5N400 to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. Please consult the Halton Region website for more information if you are experiencing symptoms or had exposure to someone who is COVID-19 positive or experiencing symptoms.
JBH is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to work with Halton Region Public Health to bring a safe end to the outbreak as soon as possible. Patients or loved ones who have questions or concerns can contact a member of the care team or JBH Patient Relations team at 905-632-3737 ext. 4949 or by email patientrelations@josephbranthospital.ca.
By Pepper Parr
January 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The four Members of Parliament who represent the people of Halton wrote an Open Letter to the Trustees of the Halton District Catholic School Board. The contents of that letter are set out below.
Dear Trustees,
On January 18th you will have an opportunity to vote on whether you will allow your schools to raise the Pride Flag this June. From a group of one elected officials to another we understand the seriousness in which you take this vote and the role that your convictions play in determining how you will side.
Next week, you can act to show the 37,000 students that you teach that the Halton Catholic District School Board embraces diversity, celebrates love, and recognizes the community’s desire to officially embrace the 25LGBTQ+ members of your schools.
In 2016, the Pride Flag was flown for the first time on Parliament Hill. Some of us were there that day to celebrate this important milestone for Canada and the 25LGBTQ+ community. The simple act of raising the rainbow flag made an enormous difference in the lives of the advocates who fought for this ceremony to take place. It told them that their country supports them, that their country loves them, and that their country needs their voice at the highest levels of political leadership. You can send the same message to the students, their parents, and your staff, that the HCDSB supports them, loves them and that they are called to shape the future of their community.
To quote your colleague Trustee Agnew, “(you) have a chance to be leaders, champions if you will, of the future, of amazing things to come.”
On January 18th you have a chance to stand up for change. As the federally elected representatives for Halton, we express our unwavering support in favour of raising the flag.
Thank you for taking time to consider our request.
Honourable Anita Anand, MP Oakville Honourable Karina Gould, MP, Burlington
Pam Damoff, MP, Oakville-North Burlington Adam VanKoeverden, MP, Milton
By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Council has been holding a number of Closed session meetings – all kinds of litigation taking place.
What perplexes a number of people is the way the City Clerk words the motions that are used to make holding a Closed session legal. That is shown in the agenda as: “Confidential update on a litigation matter”; a polite question would be – which litigation matter? – the public has no idea which matter they are talking about.
Providing the address of the property isn’t giving away any secrets and the public at least knows something is taking place.
All the public learns is that: Pursuant to section 239(2)(e) of the Municipal Act, litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.
 This is what you have now ….. Of current concern are the plans for the redevelopment of the Waterfront Hotel site, 2020 Lakeshore Road. This is a very contentious development – quite why the members of city council go along with the city legal Counsel and the Clerk holding their cards so close to their chest, at the same time telling the world that they have the best community engagement record in the country, is what is referred to as talking out of both sides of your mouth. This of course gets done with the blessing of the city manager who appears to like things that way.
The practice is for Council to come out of Closed session and announce a Staff Direction which goes something like this: the Executive Director of Legal Services is directed to do what was agreed upon in the closed session.
Sometimes, rarely, Council will then go into Open session and there will be discussion about what took place in the Closed session.
 …this is what the developer has in mind. They have submitted their development application – city planners say it isn’t complete. As a reporter, I’ve always wondered why the Chairs of the Standing Committees don’t have the courage to stand up and report to the public what took place.
Last week, after lengthy Closed session (it started at 1:00 pm and ended at 6:35 pm) Council reverted to an Open session and for a moment it looked as if they were going to say something publicly about what had taken place. Mayor Meed Ward certainly expected something would be made public and something to the effect that the motion was written to allow something to be said.
Councillor Galbraith and the Committee Clerk didn’t have the same understanding – the Mayor said she would let it go to the Council meeting later in the month.
So we will hear what is happening to the development application for 2020 Lakeshore Road, the Waterfront Hotel Development site, that has been sent to the Planning department, at the next council meeting.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on the amount of time the city has to respond to the development application. If they don’t do so within the required time-frame the matter goes to the Ontario Land Tribunal – and we all know what happens there.
.
By Staff
January 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
To allow snow removal equipment room to clear roads safely and quickly, all on-street parking has been suspended.
During a Snow Event when accumulation is more than 7.5 cm, road clearing updates can be found by visiting Burlington.ca/snow.
It is important for people to know that a declared Snow Event does not automatically mean all City facilities are closed or programs are cancelled.
On occasion a program may be cancelled when facilities remain open. For instance, if staff are unable to travel safety to the program location. When this occurs, all efforts will be made to contact the participants in advance when possible.
Snow Clearing Service Levels
 Snow Event declared Primary and Secondary roads are addressed as soon as snow starts to accumulate.
Residential roads are cleared after snow reaches 7.5 cm of accumulation. Residential roads are not maintained to bare pavement but are sanded as required at intersections, hills and sharp curves to enhance traction.
All sidewalks are plowed after 5 cm of accumulation and salted or sanded as required.
Heavy snowfalls or successive storms can sometimes extend road clearing to longer than 24 hours. Please be patient as our crews work to clear the busiest streets first.
The City is not responsible for clearing windrows left on driveways when the plow passes. If you think you will need help clearing the windrow, please make arrangements such as speaking with your neighbours, family members or hire a contractor.
Parking During the Winter
When a Snow Event is declared, there is no parking on any city streets until the Snow Event has been declared over. The City thanks residents for their cooperation to move their vehicles off city streets to help with snow clearing operations. Residents who park their cars on streets blocking snow removal could be faced with a $120 parking ticket or be towed.
All existing parking exemptions are also invalid during Snow Events.
Snow Events and parking restrictions are announced through the City’s social media.
By Pepper Parr
January 16th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Tuesday of this week the Halton District Catholic School (HDCSB) Board will hear delegations related to raising a Pride flag and a Student Senate survey.
 The Catholic school board has consistently resisted requests for a Pride flag outside any of their schools whereas the public school boar raises the Pride flag outside every school. City Hall also raises the Pride flag outside city hall on appropriate occasions.
Burlington city council has allocated up to $10,000 per instantiation for Rainbow Crosswalks in every ward of the city.
The Catholic Student Senate is made up of three or four students from each high school plus the three student Trustees.
In their delegation the student senate asks that:
Our vision has been particularly informed by a desire to fight for equity and inclusion of all students in our schools. In times of increasing isolation, we recognize the importance of ensuring that all students feel welcome in our schools.
Our vision is to ensure that through the affirmation of the human dignity that our schools become a place where all students feel like they can achieve, believe, and belong.
We wish to not only highlight the voices of students that have historically been marginalized in our communities but ensure that we model Christ–like leadership in our efforts to create an environment of compassion, kindness, humility, and faith at the HCDSB.
In a survey done by the Student Senate 70% of students responding want the Pride flag to be raised;
How strongly do you support the flying of pride flag in schools? (1 being strongly opposed, 5 being strongly in favour)
Approx. 6% of students responded strongly opposed
Approx. 8% of students responded opposed
Approx. 4% of students responded neither opposed nor in favour
Approx. 15% of students responded in favour
Approx. 70% of students responded strongly in favour
As for the motion to raise the Pride flag – 11 delegations – 9 in favour.
This is an issue that is not going to go away.
Adding to what is a school board issue is the releasing of an Open Letter on Friday from the four area Members of Parliament (all Liberals) asking the Trustees to consider supporting the motion from the students.
In part, the four Members of Parliament wrote:
Next week, you can act to show the 37,000 students that you teach that the Halton Catholic District School Board embraces diversity, celebrates love, and recognizes the community’s desire to officially embrace the 2SLGBTQ+ members of your schools.
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